Somewhat calmer winds and rain mixed with snow that started falling overnight is no doubt lending a hand with the efforts of firefighters in snuffing out the Valle Canyon fire that's been burning west of Los Alamos since last Thursday night.

An update from Forest Service officials late Tuesday morning shows the wildfire is 85 percent contained, but two new fires were sparked in other locations Monday due to high winds snapping power lines.

"Last night’s snow and colder temperatures assisted with suppression efforts. The fire area did receive 1/4-inch of snow and right now there is no visible smoke. No resources will be put on the fire today; however, the fire will be monitored daily,"
said Forest Service Spokesman Lawrence Lujan.

Lujan said the fire has consumed about 95 acres since it began last week.

"The area has steep slopes, rugged terrain and hazardous trees," Lujan said.

Management of the fire was transferred from Duane Archuleta’s Type 3 Incident Management Team to local fire resources on the Española Ranger District Tuesday morning at 6 a.m., Lujan said.

Lujan said the two new wildfires are the Vacas Wildfire located north of the Rancho del Chaparral Scout Camp on the Cuba Ranger District was contained yesterday afternoon at 5 acres, and the Middleton Wildfire located west of Gallinas on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District is currently 30 acres.

Video of the Valle Canyon wildfire was captured from the KRQE news helicopter.